IN BRIEF

Jan 01, 2004

Fitness Express LLC. has finalized the first Master Franchise agreement in World Gym history in the United States.

Todd Beckman owner and operator of three Gold's Gyms in the St. Louis market has just acquired land to open his fourth area Gold's. Beckman plans to develop 10 more Gold's Gyms in the St. Louis market over the next six years.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the Chicago Police Department has offered a $250 bonus to motivate its officers to stay in shape, but so far the majority of them haven't budged. According to AP, for the second year in a row, the department's 13,500 officers were eligible for money if they volunteered for a physical fitness test. About 2,750 officers took the test this year, with 2,541 passing, officials said.

Burger King Corp. announced a partnership with the President's Challenge, a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, to bring the Presidential Active Lifestyle and Physical Fitness Awards to hundreds of schools and thousands of students.